Art grants

How to Apply for Art Grants and Funding

 An artist fills out a grant application. Photo courtesy Getty Images

Entertainment Careers

• Fine Art Careers
  • Art Museum Jobs
  • Art Career Profiles
• Modeling Careers
• Film and TV Careers

By Susan Kendzulak

Updated July 14, 2017

The arts are notoriously known for always being chronically short of funds.

Luckily there are art grants and funding for fine art professionals such as artists, curators, and researchers who can apply for such programs to put on an art exhibition, conduct research or to create artwork.

However, competition is stiff, and it is more the norm to receive a rejection rather than acceptance. Yet there are key ways to apply for art funding.

This article will show you how to apply for an art grant and increase your chances for success.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: According to the Funder's Deadline

Here's How:

1. Have a Clear Goal
   Identify your objectives. Are you seeking time, money, space? Do you need money for travel, research, production or do you need a specific project funded?
2. Research Funding Sources
   Make use of your local library and the Internet to research all avenues of funding.
   The Foundation Center is a great place to start.
3. Think Outside the Box
   Besides all the common sources of funding such as state art councils and governmental and institutional grants, think of alternative, unique sources.
   Perhaps part of your art exhibition can take place at some local businesses which can provide some financial and logistical support.
4. Attend a Grant-Writing Workshop
   Hearing the inside view of the grant application process is immensely helpful. Many of these workshops are also free to attend.

1. Read Application Rules Thoroughly
   It is the simplest advice, yet not often heeded.
   Follow the details exactly. Only provide what is requested and in the required format.
2. Talk to a Staff Person
   When you have a question regarding the application process, it is best to telephone the office staff and develop a personable, yet professional relationship with them. They can advise you on details that otherwise, you may miss.

1. Write a Winning Proposal
   Some ideas are more grant-worthy than others. Often projects that enrich communities or selflessly involve others tend to be more successful than those that seem self-preoccupied and only catering to the ego of the grant applicant.
2. Edit Your Writing
   Your written proposal must be free of grammar and spelling errors. It should read as if written by a professional writer.
3. Make a Powerful Presentation
   Your photo documentation must be dazzling and professional.
   All parts of your submission must look clean, sharp, orderly and not dog-eared or coffee-stained. Put CDs in crisp, clean sleeves. Place written texts in clear folders. Do not fold your proposal, but mail everything as a neat flat parcel.
4. Submit before the Deadline
   Get your submission postmarked before the deadline or your proposal may be disqualified.
5. Don't Forget to Cross Your Fingers
   C'mon, a little superstition isn't going to hurt.

What You Need:

• A dynamic idea
• Research time
• Application form
• Computer
• Photos
• Envelope